Rated PG for sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language and momentary smoking
Directed by Dave Filoni (First feature film)
Starring Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold Taylor, Dee Bradley Baker, Nika Futterman, Ian Abercrombie, Corey Burton, Catherine Taber
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is like the Jar Jar Binks of the Star Wars franchise.
The Clone Wars are raging between the Separatists and the Galactic Republic when Jabba the Hutt's son is taken by a group of renegades. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to investigate and Yoda sends Ahsoka Tano along as Anakin's padawan. Obi-Wan duels with Asajj Ventress, and Anakin finds himself facing Count Dooku once again.
There have been plenty of times in the last few years that I have questioned the sanity of George Lucas. Whether it was the rumor that he was allowing the boys of N*Sync to be Storm Troopers, or his decision to kill off Darth Maul or the entire Jar Jar Binks character, it just seems like he is trying to ruin Star Wars. I’m 35 years old and grew up playing with the toys and coveting my best friends Millennium Falcon and will always love Star Wars, but Lucas is pushing his luck.
This was supposed to be an exciting new story of what happened between Episode 2 and 3. At this point, I couldn’t care less, because instead of meeting cool new characters or getting more of Mace Windu, the young Chewbacca or a bounty hunter, we get a Huttlet, Zero the Hutt and the annoying Ahsoka Tano. All of a sudden I find myself wishing for more Ewoks.
Make no mistake, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is clearly for the younger crowd but both of my kids were less than impressed. At one point my 10 year old daughter leaned over and said, “There has been fighting in every scene.” Although that’s a bit of an exaggeration, even a 10 year old wanted for more of a story.
There also is a lot more of that lame Star Wars humor, this time coming from the jawas and the droid army, all of which never made me laugh. I realize the purpose of this film is to launch the new TV series, but come on…it’s STAR WARS – we have and should expect more.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is a lot of fighting and shooting but nothing offensive.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
